Bouquets and brickbats for Elsie Tu's views on democracy

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Elsie Tu completely missed the point (South China Morning Post, July 5) when she castigated Margaret Ng for ignoring the many ugly aspects of democracy and the rule of law in the West, especially in the US.

The fact that there are deficiencies in the implementation of democracy and the rule of law, does not mean that we should irrationally brand these concepts as 'myths'.

Instead, we in Hong Kong should learn from the experiences of other nations, avoid the mistakes they have made, but continue to strive towards democratic ideals.

To some extent I agree with Mrs Tu when she accused the US of 'demonising' countries which do not bow to its economic colonialism.

However, Mrs Tu, with her own brand of political hegemony, is not averse to doing a bit demonising.

She spares no effort, through these columns, showing scant respect for those people whose beliefs differ from hers.

Mrs Tu is right when she says that democracy grows from the people.

In view of that, I would, in future, expect her to show more sympathy towards those citizens who have to live in countries ruled by cliques which ruthlessly suppress even the most tentative calls for democracy. And this includes China which Mrs Tu has never criticised in past years, as if this vast country was some sort of Utopia and the answer to our dreams.

CALVIN LEE

North Point

Elsie Tu's letter (Post, July 5) displayed a refreshing view on how we should deal with issues such as democracy and 'the American dream'.

Being born in a very liberal country in Europe allows me to say many good things about democracy and freedom.

Democracy and freedom come in many forms and virtually every country has its own ideas and interpretation of democratic political structures.

I agree with Mrs Tu that democracy in Hong Kong has to grow from the people and at its own pace.

It would be insane to let Hong Kong be dictated to by foreign nations regarding what sort of democratic system they should adopt.

No nation should be allowed to tell Hong Kong what form of democracy it should adopt and certainly not countries like the US, which want to become world rulers.

The US administration is wasting large amounts of money and this will detrimentally affect other countries.

I find the US government's refusal to acknowledge the International Criminal Court disturbing.

The SAR government must steer clear of such poor influences as the US.

However, it should learn from Washington's mistakes and develop politically in the proper way.